This lack of respect in all of politics is probably one of the reasons why Mr. Levin is deciding to hang it up.

Here’s what’s wrong with politics today.

There’s a time to be partisan and a time to be classy. The state GOP chair chose the former in what critics will likely call a totally classless expression of partisan politics in the wake of U.S. Senator Carl Levin’s decision to retire.

Instead, what readers got was this: Mr. Schostak completely ignored the senator; did not mention his name and never referenced his 35-year run in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. Schostak's detractors could say instead of a statesman-like approach, he chose to beat-up on the senate and the Democrats.

He notes that Michigan families are “frustrated” due to the “policies put forth by the U.S. Senate” and he waxes on about the “most egregious example” is the failure by the Democrats to pass a budget the last four years.

But not content with that partisan attack, he played even more politics by adding, “Repubicans will offer bold and aggressive leadership that will restore common sense…”

And as if that is not enough he ends by saying the R’s will have lots of “strong potential candidates.”

There’s a time and place for everything and Mr. Schostak is entitled to make those comments as the race heats up.

Mr. Levin has not even retired his frumpy blue suit, yet Mr. Schostak can't take a deep breath and say a little something nice about the senior senator from Michigan, opting instead to advance his strictly partisan agenda.

Yes, party chairs get paid to do that. Democratic Party chair Lon Johnson has been beating up on Gov. Snyder. And Mr. Schostak has been griping about the U.S. Senate for months.

However the Levin retirement is a different matter. It is not politics as usual.

Former GOP candidate for the senate who lost to Mr. Levin got it right. Current Attorney General Bill Schuette offers, "Carl Levin has had a distinguished and honorable career...I thank him for his years of dedicated service...and wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

It was a rare opportunity to set the labels aside for just a nanosecond and react to the moment, not the opportunity.

Frankly, this lack of respect in all of politics is probably one of the reasons why Mr. Levin is deciding to hang it up.

Even Democrats, if they are honest, would say Mr. Schostak during his tenure has been a stand-up guy and classy in his own right.

Had he simply said, “Congratulations Mr. Levin on a great run” it would have been more in line with that image.

Update: To round this story out, Mr. Schostak, in subsequent media interviews, did congratulate Mr. Levin for his years of service and wished him well in the future. He gets points for that, but points off for not doing that in the first place.

Watch "Off the Record with Tim Skubick" online anytime at video.wkar.org.